Marengo woman charged with DUI, endangering child

MARENGO – A 25-year-old Marengo woman was charged this week with endangering a child, after police allegedly found her drunk inside a car in her driveway while a child was left alone inside the house.

Marengo police responded at 7:20 p.m. Monday to a reckless driving report at 1319 N. State St. Police found Sheila Benbennick intoxicated inside her car in the driveway of the home, said Sgt. Rodney Riley.

Police also found that Benbennick left a 6-year-old child unattended in the home for about an hour while she was out, Riley said. Benbennick failed a breathalyzer test that reveled her blood alcohol content was over the legal limit of 0.08, he said.

Benbennick was charged with endangering the life or health of a child, a Class A misdemeanor; two counts of driving under the influence and improper lane usage. She is scheduled to appear in court May 20.